Taiwanese Navy – Taiwan does not appear to be seriously interested in upgrading its defenses, much to the dismay of the U.S. Washington Post: U.S. Hits Obstacles In Helping Taiwan Guard Against China Background – Iraq – James F. Dunnigan analyses the evolving civil war in Iraq between the Sunnis and everyone else. StrategyPage: The [...]

US Marines – The combat development process has undergone many changes in order to be more responsive to the needs of the Marine Corps and its Operating Forces. Marine Corps Gazette: Leaning Into the 21st Century

Background – Airpower – Mark Bowden, author of “Black Hawk Down,” goes inside the cockpit with members of the 391st Fighter Squadron, veterans of the recent air war in Afghanistan. An excellent illustration of what war in the air is like today??? The Atlantic: The Kabul-ki Dance

It is that time of the year again when I ask you for feedback about NOSI. I am interested in learning how you use NOSI to educate yourself and others. I am especially interested in hearing from military personnel or teachers at all levels. Please take a minute to fill out the Comments Form. Your [...]

Background – Islam – The growing voice of political Islam suggests that the United States faces a much more nebulous enemy in its war on terrorism than a movement of religious zealots. New York Times: Radical Islam Gains a Seductive New Voice Background – History – What qualifies one to be called a hero? An [...]

Royal Marines – Is 45 Commando preparing to return to Afghanistan? The Scotsman: Royal Marines primed for return to Afghanistan US Navy – Doing more with less – a plan that will fundamentally change the way the Navy deploys and sustains fighting forces after it recovers from the nearly exhaustive efforts of Operation Enduring Freedom [...]

US Navy – The USS Iwo Jima amphibious ready group returns home and the Navy continues transitioning from amphibious ready groups to expeditionary strike groups. Meanwhile, the new deployment schedules of expeditionary strike groups will be similar to that of carrier battlegroups – no more routine 6 month long inflexible deployments. Virginian Pilot: Iwo Jima [...]

2002 World Naval Operational News Highlights Overall, I think it is quite interesting to reflect on just how correct open source intelligence stories were in 2002 in regards to what has subsequently transpired in Iraq. The stories NOSI covered described precisely the buildup of forces and logistics in theater, the evolution of the war plan, [...]

Singaporean Navy – Singapore will send troops and a naval contingent to Iraq, including Landing Ship Tanks (LSTs). Reuters: Singapore sending troops to Iraq Chinese Navy – The navies of China and Pakistan are exercising together. People’s Daily: Chinese, Pakistani naval forces conduct joint exercise People’s Daily: Photos: China, Pakistan hold joint naval exercises US [...]

The Reading List / Curriculum section has been completed. Please browse through it, I am sure you will find some new and old articles in it that you will find valuable. US Marines – With the Marines of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit off of the USS Peleliu, attempting to stop oil smuggling in Iraq. [...]

The Online Courses section has been expanded. Royal Navy – More on the delay of the U.K.’s aircraft carrier program. The Scotsman: Delay to carriers project could hit Scots yards hard Background – Afghanistan – On patrol with the U.S. 10th Mountain Division on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Things are not going so [...]

Background – North Korea – Know thine enemy. Kim Jong Il, the world’s most dangerous dictator, has always been a figure surrounded by mystery and myth. But, from defectors and former aides, a portrait is emerging of family dysfunction, palace intrigue and imperial menace. New York Times Magazine: The Last Emperor

US Marines – The large outbreak of malaria among Marines who spent time ashore in the West African nation of Liberia in the summer was apparently caused by a nearly wholesale failure of the troops to follow protective measures, and in particular not taking a once-a-week malaria-preventing drug. Washington Post: Malaria Outbreak Blamed on Troops [...]

Another day, another New Feature: Archive. The archive is an archive of all of NOSI from the start, divided into 6 month long files. It will be updated each January and July. Royal Navy – Like the Russian Navy, the Royal Navy struggles to dispose of decommissioned nuclear submarines. The Guardian: Ministry agonises over fate [...]

I have come across a number of naval-related online courses that should be of interest to teachers, students, and self-learners. I will archive these in the new left hand button Online Courses. If you know of any others, please contact me using the comment form. Please note, I have already checked the U.S. Naval War [...]

US Navy – As the Navy and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) prepare for the next test flight of the Aegis in the Pentagon’s ballistic-missile defense program, lessons from the last flight, in which an interceptor rocket failed to destroy its target, underscore the challenges of hit-to-kill technology. Sea Power: Failed Intercept Shows Challenge of [...]

Announcement of New Feature – I have added a new feature to NOSI today, in the left-hand navigation bar, a Reading List / Curriculum. The intention of this reading list and curriculum is to provide a reference library of articles that can be used both by new users of NOSI to bring them up-to-date on [...]

US Navy – The U.S. Navy will drastically limit the use of a controversial low-frequency sonar system, which environmental groups say disorients and kills endangered whales and other species, under a court agreement disclosed yesterday. Washington Post:Navy Agrees to Injunction Limiting Sonar Use US Navy – P-3 Orions are being used for ground surveillance in [...]

US Navy – The US will make its first port call in Vietnam in 30 years. Washington Times: U.S. Navy will make port call in Vietnam US Navy – Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vernon Clark’s call in June 2002 for creating a “culture of innovation,” to help transform the U.S. Navy’s ability to project [...]

Israeli Navy – The U.S. confirms that Israel’s Dolphin-class submarines are armed with nuclear-tipped Harpoon cruise missiles that serve as a submarine-based strategic deterrent force for Israel. The Guardian: Israel deploys nuclear arms in submarine Royal Navy – The U.K. trims back on its design for its new aircraft carriers. The Scotsman: ëCost Cutting has [...]